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AMD EPYC 7281 vs AMD EPYC Embedded 7261: Comparison

EPYC 7281 vs EPYC Embedded 7261: the l3 cache difference

The gap that matters here is l3 cache: EPYC 7281 32 MB against EPYC Embedded 7261 64 MB, which puts EPYC Embedded 7261 50% ahead. There is a split on boost clock as well, Up to 2.7 GHz on the EPYC 7281 versus 2.9 GHz on the EPYC Embedded 7261. Tdp is not the same on both, 155W / 170W on the EPYC 7281 versus 155 W on the EPYC Embedded 7261. They differ on core count too, 16 cores on the EPYC 7281 versus 8 cores on the EPYC Embedded 7261. There is a split on thread count as well, 32 threads on the EPYC 7281 versus 16 threads on the EPYC Embedded 7261. Base clock is not the same on both, 2.1 GHz on the EPYC 7281 versus 2.5 GHz on the EPYC Embedded 7261.

Who each one is for

Buy the EPYC 7281 for datacenter and cloud compute and virtualization-dense server workloads, though it is not built for consumer desktop builds and single-threaded latency-sensitive workloads on lower core-count SKUs. The EPYC Embedded 7261 is the one to take for industrial and embedded system designs and long-lifecycle networking and edge-compute deployments, though it is not the pick for consumer desktop or gaming builds and DIY PC upgrades.

Where the two are identical

Everything else lines up. Pcie lanes and socket read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Core Count

    AMD EPYC 7281
    16 cores
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    8 cores
  • Thread Count

    AMD EPYC 7281
    32 threads
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    16 threads
  • Base Clock

    AMD EPYC 7281
    2.1 GHz
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    2.5 GHz
  • Boost Clock

    AMD EPYC 7281
    Up to 2.7 GHz
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    2.9 GHz
  • L3 Cache

    AMD EPYC 7281
    32 MB-50%
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    64 MBBest
  • Socket

    AMD EPYC 7281
    SP3
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    SP3
  • PCIe Lanes

    AMD EPYC 7281
    128 lanes
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    128 lanes
  • TDP

    AMD EPYC 7281
    155W / 170W
    AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    155 W

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 7281 if you want the higher PCIe lanes (128 lanes vs 128 lanes).

    Choose 7261 if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 32 MB).

    Price comparison

    RetailerAMD EPYC 7281AMD EPYC Embedded 7261
    AmazonView on Amazon

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.